06/07/2014  Shatin  Race 4

THOR THE GREATEST, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 3.7.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, THOR THE GREATEST will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the start was effected, YEUNG SING bounded in the air and lost ground. Before being allowed to race again, YEUNG SING will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. LONGWAH AMBER began awkwardly. GLORY OF LONGWAH lost its left front plate at the start. Shortly after the start, HIT THE BID veered in abruptly towards the inside rail, resulting in its rider, J Moreira, becoming badly unbalanced and the horse losing a substantial amount of ground. J Moreira stated that after almost being dislodged from HIT THE BID, he was concerned the horse was going to continue on towards the running rail. He said that whilst he had a tight hold of his left rein to prevent that from occurring, in an attempt to deter the horse from continuing to shift in further, he felt compelled to slap it lightly near the top of its head. J Moreira added that his action did not emanate out of frustration but out of legitimate concern that HIT THE BID would continue to shift in towards the running rail. Having given consideration to the circumstances of this incident and the abrupt manner in which HIT THE BID had shifted ground, the Stewards reprimanded J Moreira. Before being allowed to race again, HIT THE BID will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. Passing the 1000 Metres, GIDEON proved difficult to settle and then near the 900 Metres was left racing without cover and making the turn shortly thereafter got its head on the side and lay out. Near the 850 Metres, BLISS CARTEL got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of UNBEATABLE GUTS. Near the 750 Metres, BLISS CARTEL was momentarily crowded for room between GIDEON and EASTERN PROMISE which shifted out. Near the 650 Metres, HIT THE BID was shifted out away from the heels of EVER SHINY which shifted out when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind BLISS CARTEL. Rounding the Home Turn, SHINING CHAMPION was bumped by LONGWAH AMBER which shifted out into clear running. UNBEATABLE GUTS, which was following SHINING CHAMPION, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse, resulting in GIDEON being inconvenienced. Near the 200 Metres, JADE PIPPO got its head on the side and lay in, resulting in CALIFORNIA ROCK being momentarily inconvenienced. Over the concluding stages, SHINING CHAMPION, which was laying in, was steadied away from the heels of EASTERN PROMISE which shifted out slightly. A veterinary inspection of HIT THE BID and SHINING CHAMPION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of UNBEATABLE GUTS immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. HIT THE BID, LOVELY BOY and JADE PIPPO were sent for sampling. <7/7/2014 Additional Veterinary Report>UNBEATABLE GUTS, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. UNBEATABLE GUTS was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer L Ho this morning. He said at this time he found the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, UNBEATABLE GUTS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.